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Red Sox take final look at potential playoff pitchers

Red Sox take final look at potential playoff pitchers

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By Ian Browne
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MLB.com |

BALTIMORE -- With several pitchers on the bubble for postseason roster spots, manager John Farrell will try to get as many looks as he can at some of them during this three-game series against the Orioles.

Lefty Felix Doubront is of particular importance, because the Red Sox want to see how well he might be able to transition to a bullpen role after starting all season.

"If there's an inning where you've got left-right-left or if we can pick a spot that might be a little bit more advantageous to his left-handed pitching, that might be the case," said Farrell. "A clean inning would be the ideal thing, and as rested as our bullpen is right now, we can afford to do that. When that is over these three days remains to be seen."

Ryan Dempster is also gaining comfort in his transition to the bullpen and has pitched consecutive scoreless appearances over the last week.

Farrell would also like to get more looks at lefty Matt Thornton, whose time with the Red Sox has been disjointed thanks to an oblique injury that had him on the disabled list.

The position-player roster also has some competition. Outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. and Quintin Berry could be battling with infielder John McDonald for the final spot on the bench. Berry might have the edge because of his base-stealing capability.

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.